Water ballast for balloons



May 26, 1925. 1,538,974

' H. C. CRAY AST FOR BALLOONS Filed May 29, 1923 Patented May 26, 1925.

PATENT oFFiee.

HARRY C. CRAY, 0F DAYTON, OHIO.

WATER BALLAST non BALLOONS.

Application filed May 29, 1923. Serial No. 642,257.

1/ "0 all 10710121, nmj come/at:

Be it known that I, HARRY C. CRAY, a citi zen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county oi. hfl ontg'omery and State oi ()hio, have invented certain new and usetul Improvements in ater Ballast for Balloons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to bat-- last devices for spherical observation balloons and more particularly to an observation basket of the type used on such aircraft which is provided with a water tank within its "alls adapted to carry a sutlicient sup ply of water or other suitable fluid to act as a ballast tor the craft. y

it is the object otmy invention to equip observation or spherical balloons with an observation baskethaving a fluid tank built into its walls, and providing this tank with a suitable control for releasing the fluid'ballast as required.

lhe figure is a perspective view of my device with portions broken away for purpose of better disclosure.

The basket 3 is secured to the balloon or similar aircraft by means of rigging 2, suitable securing means being provided at 6. This basket is provided with a double wall toincludc a suitable tluid ballast tank 4-. A control lever 5 operating a suitable out-let valve 8 is provided to permit the release of the fuel ballast as desired through the outlet tube 7. I

When it is desired to release ballast it is merely necessary to turn the ballast control lever 5 to open the valve and permit the escape of the amount of ballast desired.

Claims: 1. An observation basket for balloons and the like having the upright walls thereof HARRY C. GRAY. 

